Game Stores View Valve's Steam as the Devil

[neiroatopelcc]

[citation][nom]RADIO_ACTIVE[/nom]lol what is the difference between buying it at Best Buy, Fry's, Game Stop, or Steam. They are not complaining about other retailers carring the product... If they can't keep up in the changing market then to bad so sad Look at Block Buster they could not keep up with NetFlix.[/citation]
Their beef is with steam being a reval to their own online shop - not their brick and mortar shop

 

[gogogadgetliver]

"I came to buy game X and you're not carrying it because of steam integration? Oh I see. Well while I'm here and angry I might as well pickup game Y...NOT."

I'd head straight back home, grab the Steam copy and never go in the store again. CEE-YUUUZZZ.

 

[oldscotch]

I'll add that the only thing I miss about Steam is getting a proper manual. Sure the PDFs are there and you can print them out, but that's no substitute for a proper manual (ie: Falcon 4.0).

 

[James296]

there's only two reasons why I have steam on my computer: 1. I can install and play my games on any computer I want and 2. they have games that retail stores no longer sell. other then those reasons, I hate steam. I challage you steam lovers to go atleast a month with internet and see what happens. I've already experienced what happens and let me tell you I was not happy.

 

[Guest]

I suppose the stores in the UK still carry PC games to some degree. Best Buy, Gamestop, etc., are more focused on consoles than on PCs. In fact, there is a Gamestop I recently visited where they had more used games in stock than new ones!

 

[sirmorluk]

[citation][nom]_cubase_[/nom]It's either use Steam or deal with botched pre-orders, missing stock, no stock, rude staff, bratty kids, or bargain bin ferals fighting over the last pre-owned and heavily soiled copy of some long forgotten relic of poorly spent youth. Tough choice...[/citation]
The exact reason I quit buying from stores. I usually(90%) buy from steam or order hard copies online.

 

[whysobluepandabear]

[citation][nom]reprotected[/nom]Many people do not like to punch in their credit cards into the Internet, which is usually why they buy at retails. What's there to fear?[/citation]


It's actually easier for your credit card information to get stolen at a store, than over the internet.


Memorizing, writing down, taking pictures of or logging the magnetic strip are a few that come to my mind. A lot of bank theft actually occurs at ATMs because specifically of strip logging. Add the other methods in and bam...It's pretty easy. Especially at restaurants when you're giving your card to the waiter, whom then leaves with it. They most definitely carry a pen and pad of paper...just saying.

 

[aglarond]

I think they should first boycott Microsoft Games for Windows Live. I hate it, when I buy game throught Valve Steam and it registers through Live and forces me to use Live (GTA4, Dirt2, ...)

 

[Guest]

I'm an avid PC gamer, and I ALWAYS go to the store and pick up a physical copy of my favorite games, rather than downloading. Although I have an extensive collection of downloaded games (from both steam, and impulse), they will never replace good old physical game disks. Midnight releases just don't feel the same behind a keyboard.

 

[ssddx]

Before all you steam lovers get all thumb-down crazy.. read the whole thing.

I have no problem with the steam service, however, the fact that it is MANDATORY (which i can not stress enough) on quite a few new games is unnacceptable. The full game needs to be included in a retail box (with no steam required.)

The steam service does not work at all for me. Not all of us have broadband in our area, or like linking our cd-keys to a 3rd party vendor. The steam service might be great for some but developers need to stop relying on it as a crutch.

I have two games that are worthless discs because of this (which i intended for offline-only in case you argue for multiplayer-broadband requirements.)

 

[jgiron]

Steam is the Google of online games distribution.
They are know what their customers want...great games, discounted prices and of course I don't have to worry about DRM not letting me install the game because i've reached the max number of installs. Valve saw the future of online distribution and pirating and came up with a way to fix both issues. And it's not valve's fault that steam is in the game...it's the publishers.
I wouldn't mind some competition for steam, because in the end customers win.

 

[cirdecus]

steam is fantastic. This is a classic example of a free market. If competitors, like in-store retailers, don't come to grip with the times, then they'll be left behind. They're going to have to offer more incentives for customers, to spend time and money visiting a store when they can get the same thing online.

Or possibly develop a "better" online distribution site. Either way, its not Steams fault, its their own

 

[vicsrealms]

Steam is a great tool for my gaming, especially when they have sales. Still, if you have ever seen the collection of PC games at a Gamestop (what collection of PC games at Gamestop?) then I really have no choice but to use Steam. Gamestop seems more devoted to consoles and typically only care newer PC games with a single row on one of their drawers for the rest of them. Besides, the Gamestop in town has ended up on my sh*t list after too many problems.

 

[tolham]

[citation][nom]ssddx[/nom]Before all you steam lovers get all thumb-down crazy.. read the whole thing.I have no problem with the steam service, however, the fact that it is MANDATORY (which i can not stress enough) on quite a few new games is unnacceptable. The full game needs to be included in a retail box (with no steam required.) The steam service does not work at all for me. Not all of us have broadband in our area, or like linking our cd-keys to a 3rd party vendor. The steam service might be great for some but developers need to stop relying on it as a crutch.I have two games that are worthless discs because of this (which i intended for offline-only in case you argue for multiplayer-broadband requirements.)[/citation]
i understand your plight, but steam is not the problem, your internet is the problem. if everyone caters to areas with slow or no internet then it will take even longer for those areas to get fast internet because of the work-arounds.

 

[nukemaster]

@ nukemaster
Since your post is poorly formatted and sort of annoying to read I'll just address the most important stuff.
1) it doesn't pause downloads when I'm using a non steam game, nor when other people using the connection are playing games (it can't know that).
2) Okay so it may not be based on firefox, but it requires the firefox version of flash to be installed - and regardles, the other browsers support tabbed browsing too, which is sort of my point.
3) The search isn't good by any stretch. You can't even click to find mods that are free for the games you've installed, or click to only display free games, or apply any other useful filters or a price range. And since you don't have tabbed browsing, you have to click back to page 13 or whatever you were at after clicking on a title to see the details. Nor is there something that allows you to see new releases since you last checked the store. Hell even the release dates listed aren't trustworthy. Some games are listed as from 2008 when they've merely arrived at steam in 2008 but are older. And other games have inaccurate release info. Like one game that I preordered, that sais it'll be released 'november 2010' - we're halfway thru it, and it still isn't released - not even a date is added.
4) by assuming everybody is like you, you limit the use of steam to people like you. Not everybody is like you, and thus not everybody is content with being dictated by valve how things are supposed to work.

#4 is the most important one obviously.

Ok, so steam does not monitor the network to stop downloads. What does? Get a router with QOS and call it a day. How was that a steam con in the first place then? Add your non steam games as shortcuts in steam and it will pause for you locally. This will not help others on your local network, but very little will.
You are right about finding mods, I was generally thinking of finding games. The search has still improves massively since it was released.
You assume everyone is like you?

 

[-Fran-]

I love Steam and own a great lot of games, but there's one thing I'm afraid of... Since I don't own the actual game (physical copy, if you want to call it), is still "my" game? Is the key good enough? With games which have no key, is there something I can do to prove my ownership outside Steam?

Cheers!

 

[Guest]

I was resistant to use steam for the longest time. However as time passed and the games got harder and harder to get I finally broke down and went into my basic steam account. NOW every day when I get home I look to see whats on sale. I have even purchased games I have on CD for minimal cost mind you so I could get them on steam. I now can play the same game at home or at my parents house and don't have to carry the cd's with me. The only fear I have is if the company goes under will I loose all my stuff. Right now I have over 100 games. Steam may be a bust to the game retailers but they abandoned the PC Gamers several years ago so go fly a kite!. They still have the console players they want anyways. Steam is also bringing the MAC users back into the gaming world(SLOWLY). Even if you hate Steve Jobs and Mac's the more competition and platforms for gamers of all types. No box not trash either for the greenies out there. All around Steam is nice, Always watching, Always concerned but they have been very good so far. Anyone that says you can't play games when steam is down doesn't use steam they are blowing smoke. As another person stated other than multiplayer You still can play the games even with the internet down. (provided you don't have to log into microsoft or something the GAME requires). ONLY ONE ISSUE... How do I keep my wife from yelling at me at the end of the month when she see's all the $5 to $10 purchases.. lol.

 

[ripperko]

Last time I check Bestbuy or Gamestop I couldn't even find the pc game section. One wall for xcrap, and the other for ps3 and wii. Retailers can kiss my arse, no love for you. Love Steam, and sales at Amazon.

 

[tester24]

[citation][nom]osxsier[/nom]Well, I think Steam is great, its instant gratification. However, saying that I prefer to have the game with box. I have all my PC games lined up and its nice to see what I have and what I want to play. Also kinda cool to have your friends see what games you have.There will always be those I believe that actually like going into the store like myself and having the box art, game, and hopefully some other goodies as well. Steam is great, but not everyone wants their games on the hard drive only.[/citation]

Yeah it's called view library, not only that steam automatically updates my games so i don't have to. The days of going to a store is going to come to an end.

 

[imran_t]

If you can't kill them join them... Seriously all these stupid retailers need to come up with their own 'Steam' or they will just die out...

 

[neiroatopelcc]

[citation][nom]nukemaster[/nom]Ok, so steam does not monitor the network to stop downloads. What does? Get a router with QOS and call it a day. How was that a steam con in the first place then? Add your non steam games as shortcuts in steam and it will pause for you locally. This will not help others on your local network, but very little will.You are right about finding mods, I was generally thinking of finding games. The search has still improves massively since it was released.You assume everyone is like you?[/citation]

I assume everybody is different. That is why I'm so darn good at spotting problems even if I don't have them myself.
As for the download - the solution is simple - implement more control over the downloads.

ps. qos is available on my gateway, but it shouldn't be nessecary to buy special hardware to enjoy something as simple as a game, just because the content provider is dorky

 

[bystander]

I know a lot of people have complained about the lack of resales with PC gaming, and giving them away to friends.

One big advantage Steam is doing for us, is they are making PC gaming profitable to developers again. Pirating used to be a huge issue for PC developers. Steams ease of use seems to help the pirating issue. I'm not sure if it's due to the security systems, or just the fact that lazy would be piraters can get what they want conveniently.

Having a store that caters to us online, has increased PC game sales, decreased pirating, and developers are benefiting enough to cause regrowth in the PC market.

 

[jimmysmitty]

[citation][nom]tical2399[/nom]I never really been a fan of steam. I only have it cause a free game came with my gpu and i had to get steam to play it. I prefer just buying from GS (yes I like GS even though its popular not to).If steam is down you can't log in which means you can't play. I they ban you for some reason then you can lo longer play the game you paid for. While steam has alot of games for sale, there are still alot you can't[citation

I stopped being a fan of most retailers for games because they like to over charge for everything. If its on Steam, I wont buy it because most of the time the Steam version has no DRM like SecuROM or the install limits get removed.

If Steam goes down, you can log into "Offline Mode" which allows you to play the games that are not directly hosted on Steams servers (such as LFD/TF2 VALVes online games). And the only way to get perma-banned is by hacking. There was one accident with MW2 but they corrected it and even gave the people who were wronged a free copy of LFD2. Most other companies would tell you to go fish.

And as a lot of people here have said, Steam pretty much saved PC gaming. Most retailers have a small area for PC games and if they have more it because they are big enough to have it without loss of profits (Best Buy).

I see Steam as an awesome product. I have all my games in one place without worrying about finding the CD/DVD or that the disc happened to find a scratch.

 

[dalta centauri]

So if they stopped selling pc games that go through or along Steam. Their only going to sell console games?

 

[tmax]

Long live Steam.